Lying in State: What Does it Mean and Who Has Done It?

The flag-draped casket of John McCain inside the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Aug. 31. Photographer: Drew Angerer/Getty Images North America

Friday, the remains of Senator John McCain of Arizona lay in state in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol. The media has told us that only 30 others have been so honored.

What does it mean to lie “in State”? There’s the obvious part that someone really important has died and the public is showing its respect for the life of the deceased by making a big show out of his or her death by publicly displaying the remains, draping the coffin with a flag and having members of the military stand guard while members of the public walk past.

But did you know (and I’ll bet you didn’t) that there are other ways we show our respect to those who have passed away, who have lived lives deemed worthy of a show of public respect? Yep. They’re called “Lying in Honor” and “Lying in Repose.” So, what’s the difference,” you ask?

In the United States, when the deceased person is placed in a location other than the Rotunda of the United States Capitol, like the Great Hall of the Supreme Court, they lie in repose, as was the case following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February 2016.[2] For example:

Anyone not from government whose remains are put in public view in a government building is said to be lying in honor, accompanied by a Capitol Police guard.

The United States Congress has created a manner similar to Lying in State to honor distinguished Americans who do not qualify for a lying in state designation. In the process of “lying in honor,” the honor guard in the Rotunda is provided by the Capitol Police or another suitable source. [15][16]

Presidents generally lie in repose in the East Room of the White House before lying in state at the capitol.

The main difference between lying in state and lying in honor is the designated guard of honor that keeps watch over the casket. When a person lies in state, a guard of honor from the United States Armed Forces watch over the casket; when a person lies in honor, the United States Capitol Policewatches as a civilian guard of honor over the casket.

The body of President John F. Kennedy lying in state in November 1963.

And so I wondered, “Who are those others who have lain in state at the US Capitol Rotunda?”